The revelation comes as Tszyu readies for what he insists will be push back to the top of world boxing \u2013 and a second world title \u2013 against names including US superstars Vergil Ortiz Jnr and Jaron \u2018Boots\u2019 Ennis.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
One of Australian sport\u2019s greatest, and most unique, rivalries is set to again be ignited again tonight when Zerafa works the Main Event broadcast for Tszyu\u2019s Sydney homecoming against unbeaten American Anthony Velazquez.<\/p>\n
While Australian Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech has already revealed he will not be attending the event<\/a> \u2013 and only months after being announced as a key component of Tszyu\u2019s new team \u2013 Zerafa will be present in a crowd boasting the likes of Wayne Bennett, Latrell Mitchell, Jarome Luai, Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr.<\/p>\n Tszyu\u2019s younger brother Nikita will also be ringside, and despite no longer being part of a corner now run by Tszyu\u2019s new Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz.<\/p>\n LIVE BLOG <\/p>\n Follow along for the latest updates from the fights! Can\u2019t see the blog? Click here!<\/a><\/p>\n Indeed, apart from being Tszyu\u2019s first fight since retiring on his stool against Sebastian Fundora in July, the headliner also doubles as his first showing under Diaz \u2013 who has made fight week headlines due to his absence, lack of English, even the way he does padwork.<\/p>\n In defence, the man based out of Miami, Florida has pointed to the fact his resume boasts not only 22 world champions, but another 22 Olympic gold medalists.<\/p>\n Zerafa, meanwhile, is himself in camp and readying to throw down against Nikita Tszyu in what looms as one of the great Australian grudge matches in Brisbane on January 16.<\/p>\n Should Zerafa win that bout, he then wants to go straight into a showdown with the older Tszyu sibling, and a fighter he\u2019s wanted to throw down against since long before even their infamous 2021 headliner was scrapped.<\/p>\n START TIME: What time will Tim Tszyu will hit the ring for comeback bout?<\/a><\/p>\n ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of Tszyu\u2019s huge return<\/a><\/p>\n Tszyu & Velazquez make weight | 02:59<\/p>\n Back in 2020, for example, the pair engaged in an entertaining ringside drama after Tszyu had earned a brutal first round stoppage of Bowyn Morgan inside Bankwest Stadium.<\/p>\n The fact that Zerafa will be inside TikTok Stadium tonight with not one, but both Tszyu brothers is sure to prove entertaining, with the Melburnian also taking aim at \u2018The Butcher\u2019 backstage during a September No Limit card topped by Liam Paro.<\/p>\n This week however, Tszyu\u2019s focus has been firmly on Velazquez.<\/p>\n However in an interview with Fox Sports Australia, the fighter now dubbed \u2018Phoenix\u2019 did talk of where his \u201crise from the ashes\u201d could take him \u2013 especially with no less than America\u2019s David Benavidez tipping him to beat two of the super welterweight division\u2019s biggest names \u2014 \u2018Boots\u2019 and Ortiz Jnr.<\/p>\n During camp for this fight in Miami, Tszyu and Benavidez sat down together for a BOXR podcast — the undefeated American heaping praise on a fighter who initially went undefeated through his first 24 fights to claim the WBC gold.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Tim against anybody in the weight class is a great fight,\u201d Benavidez stressed. \u201cHe has a great style.<\/p>\n \u201cI think him against Boots, Vergil Ortiz, they\u2019re all great fights \u2026 and I think Tim wins all of them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great fighter, has a lot of talent [and] I\u2019m definitely in his corner.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE TSZYU COVERAGE<\/p>\n TALKING POINTS: Move that could save Tszyu\u2019s career… if he\u2019s not already shot<\/a><\/p>\n JEFF WHO? Tszyu\u2019s new coach hits back at critics, makes stunning Fenech claim<\/a><\/p>\n